Landscape to "wild"life

[Malok]

My passion is landscape photography, but this week I've reached a point where my priorities need to change for a while. Three days ago our first child was born and I am trying to switch from shooting objects which don't move such as mountains and lakes to a squirming little newborn. My photos of him are definitely far from spectacular. Can anyone recommend any good websites on how to take decent baby photos? I am in desperate need of help. :)

[jgbeam]

You will find plenty of help here, but we first need to know what equipment you are working with.

Jim

[Malok]

Ok, my equip is quite simple and I'm not planning on purchasing more for the baby, due to the new expenses with the baby.

Drebel, 18-55, 70-200 4L, tripod, GND and polarizer filters. That is about it. :)

[stopbath]

Have mom sooth the baby into a lul, then bring out the big flash guns and fire away!

you: click - FLASH!!
Baby: "WAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
mom: "Cootchy cootchy coo"
Baby: snuggles and calms down
you: click - FLASH!!
Baby: "WAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
....

Second thought, maybe natural light might work best to render a soft glow...

[Malok]

So far, that is about all that I am doing. The baby looks great, but it is not the most artistic. It certainly doesn't look like something taken by a professional studio. I need some creative ways to pose the little guy that will look good and that he won't complain about too much.

[jgbeam]

So its not a technique issue then. You just want to pose a baby and get art? All it takes is patience. And take hundreds of shots. :) I would try for natural lighting. Get near a big window and bounce some light off a big white reflector. Get mom in the picture, too. A discreet breast feeding picture can be very nice. My daughter recently had her new baby (about four months at the time) photographed by a pro and he had some kind of big white diffuser bowl that he put the baby in and got the most beautiful baby shots I've ever seen. Real soft light seems to be the best.

Enjoy the baby - don't worry about the photos.

Jim

[SWPhotoImaging]

If you want something with him sitting still, and posing, wait until he's old enough that you can say "Sit still you little brat, or I'll take away your xbox!